"Lecznicza trucizna" - "Płeć i charakter" Ottona Weiningera jako indywidualistyczny projekt asymilacji

The Polish debate over Otto Weininger’s book Geschlecht und Charakter (1903) gives a testimony to considerable interest on behalf of Polish Jews in the question of individual assimilation. Weininger’s text stemming from an alien context and rather far from usual anti-Semitic clichés invited critical readers to challenge their own identities. A characteristic case in point is Leo Belmont, one of the Polish-Jewish readers who, in reaction to Weininger’s theses, chose to publicly criticize the Jewish mentality, however, without entering into an alliance with Polish anti-Semites. The article analyses discursive strategies used by Belmont in fusing the Austrian philosopher’s ideas with his own political and cultural agenda.